There were many large and small shinobi clans in Konoha, but few could dance freely on Konoha's grand stage.
The three great bloodline clans—the Uchiha, Senju, and Hyuga—were naturally the heaviest hitters, like three towering mountains overlooking all of Konoha.
Some of the clans with secret techniques banded together to stand against those three mountains looming over the many shinobi clans. The Ino-Shika-Cho clans, for example, had formed an alliance generations ago and helped one another.
The Inuzuka and Aburame clans also got along well. One liked raising dogs, the other raising insects. Who knew how they'd ended up together in the first place?
The dancer at center stage, Tobirama Senju, was dead. The Uchiha Clan, which had always danced backup, now had a chance to take the lead—a very real chance.
Hyuga Takuma decided he couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to advance, too. He wanted to dance.
Early in the morning, while there weren't many people around, he met with Uchiha Nan.
"You truly are a hero of your generation. At such a young age, you're already shouldering the burden of an entire clan."
Hyuga Takuma opened with a compliment. You could get through anything with flattery, and there was nothing wrong with praising someone.
"Not at all, not at all. It's just that Clan Head Tomita insisted on giving me the position, even kneeling and refusing to get up when I said no. I had no choice."
Uchiha Nan couldn't figure out Hyuga Takuma's intentions, so he kept up the aimless small talk. This Old man definitely wasn't up to anything good.
They chatted idly for quite a while, drinking several cups of tea. Hyuga Takuma was starting to feel the call of nature. After all, he was getting on in years, and his prostate wasn't what it used to be.
Why hadn't he gotten to the point yet?!
Could Uchiha Nan really hold out this long?
Didn't he want to become Hokage? I've come all this way and shown the Uchiha Clan plenty of respect. Surely it's time to discuss the Hokage position.
Uchiha Nan watched Hyuga Takuma shift from side to side, his legs rubbing together slightly. The man was clearly restless.
Uchiha Nan was still young, with a prostate in its prime!
So he smiled faintly.
"Another cup?"
"No, no."
Hyuga Takuma shook his head repeatedly. He hadn't come over today to drink tea.
"Brother Nan, I'm a few years older than you, so I'll call you that. It makes us feel closer."
"It's time we talked about some things. Now that Lord Tobirama is dead, Konoha has no leader. We need a capable, responsible, and powerful person to steady the situation."
Hyuga Takuma spoke with heartfelt sincerity, as if he'd brave any danger for Konoha. At the end, he raised his eyebrows at Uchiha Nan, signaling for him to pick up the conversation.
Hyuga Takuma had thought it through. The Hyuga Clan might be one of Konoha's three great shinobi clans, but it lacked top-tier fighters. Becoming Hokage was probably out of reach. Still, there was no reason they couldn't advance their position and secure more benefits for the clan.
Everyone was struggling these days. Life was hard for the clans.
When the cannons roared, fortunes were made. After so long at war, Konoha had borrowed a great deal of money from the clans. Once war reparations arrived and the Land of Fire allocated its funds, it would be time to divide the spoils. If you took an extra bite, I'd get one less.
Everyone back home was waiting for their money!
The promises Tobirama Senju had made before were practically void now. They had to sound out the next Hokage first.
He wasn't even considering the Senju. There was no point in being snubbed after making the first move. Uchiha Nan was the stronger candidate, but the Uchiha were relatively weak in political influence, especially after Tobirama Senju had kept them down for so many years.
Better to offer help in a time of need than to add flowers to brocade. This was an excellent time to invest!
If the two clans joined forces, they could surely secure the Hokage position!
"Tsk, Brother Takuma, didn't you know the Second chose his successor before he died? It was Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Uchiha Nan took a sip of tea and regarded Hyuga Takuma with an odd expression. He'd already spread the news himself.
What?
Hiruzen Sarutobi?
To be honest, Hyuga Takuma had never paid Hiruzen Sarutobi any mind. Some nobody from who knew where thought he could soar to the heights just because he'd ingratiated himself with Tobirama Senju.
While Tobirama Senju was alive, he could afford to humor Hiruzen Sarutobi a little. But now that Tobirama was dead—
Sorry, who are you?
I'm the head of a prestigious bloodline clan. Don't try to ride my coattails!
"Brother Nan, don't joke around."
"Everyone knows those few abandoned the Hokage and ran back on their own. Who knows if the news they brought back is even true?"
Hyuga Takuma sneered, not taking Hiruzen Sarutobi seriously at all.
"I wonder if Brother Nan wants to advance?"
Hyuga Takuma finally laid his cards on the table. He might as well state his purpose first.
"As for making progress, it's not that we're saying we won't do it. But there's nothing we can say for certain about how things will turn out."
"It's not that we don't want to, either. As we say, where there's a will, there's a way. We can do it. We can find a solution."
"..."
Uchiha Nan spoke without making his position clear. Now he understood: Hyuga Takuma had come to back the right horse. He'd stood with the Senju faction before, and now he wanted to switch sides.
He'd probably expected Uchiha Nan to speak first so he could take control of the conversation. He needed to make him sweat a little longer.
Excellent! Excellent!
Hyuga Takuma was astonished. Who knew a person could talk like that? Uchiha Nan, you were born for politics!
Coming here had been the right choice!
"The Senju Clan has already produced two Hokage of Konoha. I think it's the Uchiha's turn."
"You!"
"Uchiha Nan is Konoha's Hokage of peace!"
"A Hokage who will bring peace to Konoha!"
Hyuga Takuma decided to stop beating around the bush and say it plainly.
Now that was more like it. Politicians were all so devious, going round and round. Why couldn't they just be direct?
"You really think so?"
"Of course. Every word comes straight from my heart!"
Hyuga Takuma's face radiated sincerity. With a Uchiha wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan, backed by the strength of the Hyuga Clan, he couldn't see how they could lose.
"Then, shall we work together?"
Uchiha Nan finally smiled and held out his hand, intending to form an alliance with the Hyuga Clan. Hyuga Takuma had come to him of his own accord; he couldn't very well push the Hyuga away.
Securing the Hokage position was only the first step on a long journey. The real challenges lay ahead.
He'd need to work with the Hyuga Clan eventually.
"Let's work together."
Hyuga Takuma shook Uchiha Nan's hand and happily agreed. They'd settled the day's business completely.
All that remained were the final pleasantries. The two shamelessly began praising each other.
"The greatest Third of the future!"
"The only choice to lead Konoha to prosperity."
"The most farsighted Hyuga Clan Head."
"..."
Flattery was free, so why not lay it on thick? You praised me, I praised you, and just like that, our reputations grew.
(In another world, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed as the strongest Hokage, silently gave them a thumbs-up.)
At last, Hyuga Takuma left Uchiha Nan's home, satisfied. Before leaving, he invited Uchiha Nan to visit the Hyuga Clan sometime.
After Hyuga Takuma left, Uchiha Nan headed for the Uchiha Military Police Force. It was his first day on the job as Clan Head, and he couldn't be late.
Incidentally, he'd been promoted. His new position was head of the Uchiha Military Police Force!
Please vote with your monthly tickets!!!
Before you continue